11 Heb “like Lebanon” (so ; also in the following verse). The phrase “a cedar of” does not appear in the Hebrew text; it is supplied in translation for clarity. Cf. “the trees of Lebanon”; “the forests of Lebanon.”
12 Hosea uses the similar-sounding terms יָשֻׁבוּ יֹשְׁבֵי (yashuvu yoshve, “the dwellers will return”) to create a wordplay between the roots שׁוּב (shuv, “to return”) and יָשַׁב (yashav, “to dwell; to reside”).
13 Heb “they will cause the grain to live” or “they will revive the grain.” Some English versions treat this as a comparison: “they shall revive as the corn” (); “will flourish like the grain” ().
14 The Hebrew expression מַה־לִּי עוֹד (mah-li ’od) is a formula of repudiation/emphatic denial that God has anything in common with idols: “I want to have nothing to do with […] any more!” Cf., e.g., Judg 11:12; 2 Sam 16:10; 19:23; 1 Kgs 17:18; 2 Kgs 3:13; 2 Chr 35:21; Jer 2:18; Ps 50:16; 553 מָה 1.d.(c).
15 The term “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity, as in the majority of English versions (including ).
16 Cf. “a green fir tree”; , “a green pine tree”; “an evergreen cypress.”
17 Heb “your fruit is found in me”; “your faithfulness comes from me.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

I will be like the dew to Israel;

he shall blossom like the lily;

he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;

his shoots shall spread out;

his beauty shall be like the olive,

and his fragrance like Lebanon.

They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;

they shall flourish like the grain;

they shall blossom like the vine;

their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like an evergreen cypress;

from me comes your fruit.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

I will be like the dew to Israel;

he will blossom like a lily.

Like a cedar of Lebanon

he will send down his roots;

his young shoots will grow.

His splendor will be like an olive tree,

his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

People will dwell again in his shade;

they will flourish like the grain,

they will blossom like the vine—

Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a flourishing juniper;

your fruitfulness comes from me.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I will be like the dew to Israel;

he will blossom like the lily

and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

His new branches will spread,

and his splendor will be like the olive tree,

his fragrance, like the forest of Lebanon.

The people will return and live beneath his shade.

They will grow grain

and blossom like the vine.

His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim, why should I have anything more

to do with idols?

It is I who answer and watch over him.

I am like a flourishing pine tree;

your fruit comes from me.

NLTNew Living Translation

I will be to Israel

like a refreshing dew from heaven.

Israel will blossom like the lily;

it will send roots deep into the soil

like the cedars in Lebanon.

Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees,

as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon.

My people will again live under my shade.

They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines.

They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.

“O Israel, stay away from idols!

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.

I am like a tree that is always green;

all your fruit comes from me.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

I will be like the dew to Israel;

he will blossom like the lily plant,

and he will strike his roots like the trees of Lebanon.

His new plant shoots will spread out;

his splendor will be like the olive tree,

and his scent like the trees of Lebanon.

They will again dwell in my shadow;

they will grow grain

and they will blossom like the plant vine;

his fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

I myself have answered and looked after you.

I am like a luxuriant cypress;

your fruit comes from me.

KJV 1900King James Version

I will be as the dew unto Israel:

He shall grow as the lily,

And cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

His branches shall spread,

And his beauty shall be as the olive tree,

And his smell as Lebanon.

They that dwell under his shadow shall return;

They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine:

The scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?

I have heard him, and observed him:

I am like a green fir tree.

From me is thy fruit found.

Public Domain